When you've got a toddler on the move, you'll want to let them crawl and explore with the peace of mind that they won't pick up any nasties on their travels. Not only are we talking about dust and dirt, but also harsh chemicals from cleaning, which is why choosing one of the best steam mops is a great idea as it only requires tap water to clean.
Steam mops work by using steaming hot water vapour to clean and sanitise hard floors, making them ideal for kitchens and bathrooms in particular. It's a great cleaning tip for parents as it's a lot easier than mopping with a bucket and cleaning solution as you don't need to carry a heavy bucket of water around with you. This also means it'll probably take you half the time.
While this saves a lot of money on floor cleaning solutions in the long run, it also means you can easily avoid any harsh floor cleaning chemicals – a must when your toddler is regularly crawling about and touching your floors, and the heat of the steam is hot enough to kill most forms of bacteria and dust mites on the floor.
We've scoured the web to find the best steam mops for every budget and space to help you find the best steam mop for your home.
The best steam mops
Best steam mop overall
Vax are leaders in the world of steam cleaning so it’s no surprise their Steam Fresh Power Plus mop is so popular. Weighing just 3.4 kg, it’s easy to maneuver around the house with one arm and it even comes with a scrub brush to remove stubborn dirt. The heat up time is a very impressive 20 seconds and has a total run time of 20 minutes, perfect for a quick sweep around after a messy dinner time. It also comes with two microfibre pads, a carpet glider, a 360 degree connector, a precision tool, a soft scrub brush, an accessory bag to keep everything in, a bottle of steam detergent, as well as a wall mount for easy storage.
One review said: "Having swithered for long enough whether to buy a Steam Cleaner, decided to buy this one ….and so glad we did! It’s terrific!! - very happy with our purchase ….so easy to set up, to use and to store - it even has a little pouch for extra cloth and tools which hangs from handle when stored - everything is right there when you need it. Great price too!"
Pros
- Lightweight
- Fast heat up time
- A range of accessories included
Cons
- Isn't free standing
Best steam mop for stubborn dirt and grime
If you’re needing a steam mop that can cut through stubborn stains and dirt, then the Shark steam and scrub is ideal for a real deep clean. Featuring two rotating Power Pads, they work alongside the hot steam to break down any dirt with ease as your mob glides across the floor for a streak free clean. We love that the cleaning pads are machine washable and fully reusable which is great for the environment.
One reviewer said: "Love this. I used to scrub my kitchen floor on hands and knees but this is fab. With 2 German Shepherds my kitchen floor can get grubby especially in winter but now so easy. My cushion flooring is not smooth so hard to keep clean but love the scrub clean action. Very easy to use and even looks nice and not to big to store. It comes with 2 sets of pads and I thought I may need more, but so far I haven’t as they wash easily. They can be washed in the washing machine but so far I have hand wash them. Love this appliance."
Pros
- Machine washable pads
- Tougher on stubborn dirt
- Suitable for all types of hard floor
Cons
- Difficult to use in corners
Best steam mop for versatility
For a full steam cleaning kit, consider this Polti Vaporetto SV440_DOUBLE Steam Mop with Hand Cleaner. It’s a 2 in 1 steam mop and portable steam cleaner with 11 cleaning accessories included in the box. Able to clean up to 15 different surfaces, it’s lightweight, easy to maneuver and heats up in just 15 seconds. Thanks to the different bristle heads, it’s able to breakdown dirt easily and can also give carpets a refresh. It also features a Frescovapor dispenser to help neutralise odours.
One reviewer said: "I had never considered a steam mop before but my daughter recommended them. I am so glad I got this one. My hard floors have never been so clean and it’s really easy to use. Long cord, ready in seconds and very efficient. And a bargain price. Highly recommended. Just an addition - I have now had this mop for a few weeks and I can honestly say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever bought. My floors are spotless and it’s a joy to use. Just get one!"
Pros
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Can be used as both a mop and handheld cleaner
Cons
- Leaves the floors a little wet
Best steam mop for easy cleaning
When it comes to steam cleaners, Kärcher are market leaders and this standing steam mop features two steam settings that can switch between wood and tile mode. The tank can easily be refilled during use and the descaling cartridge automatically descales the water making it particularly useful for hardwater areas. The slim design means it’s easy to store away and easy to manoeuvre around the room.
One reviewer said: "I bought this to replace an old one from another manufacturer which had finally stopped working. This one shows how far the technology of these has improved over the years. It is light to handle and very effective at cleaning both tiled and wooden floors. Totally recommended."
Pros
- Affordable
- Ergonomic handle
- Integrated descaling
Cons
- Shorter cord compared to other models
Best budget steam mop
For a more affordable option, the Beldray steam cleaner offers up to 15 Mins of continuous steam cleaning for a fraction of the price. It features a dual-Tank system to separate the tanks with one for detergent and one for water to both steam cleanse and sanitise hard floors. Despite being on the lighter weight side, it’s a powerful mop on hard floors and can even freshen up carpets.
One reviewer said: "This is my second Beldray floor steamer, my last one only lasted 12 months, this is a new model so I thought I would give it a try, only used it once but it has a longer handle which is great for me having a back problem, it has a new addition a little detergent tank which is separate from the main water tank, you just press a button with your foot and it squirts the detergent out. On the old machine you had to keep a leaver pressed to let the steam out, which I found difficult, this one just produces the steam after about 20 seconds. The only down side is you can not control the amount of steam coming out, apart from that I am really pleased with it, I have just filled in the warranty and got 3 years, so that’s a bonus."
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Suitable to use on carpets too
Cons
- Requires detergent too
Best cordless steam mop
Let’s be honest, cordless cleaning products are just A LOT easier to use around the house, especially when you’ve got a little person wondering about. Not only is it a cordless steam mop, it’s also a cordless vacuum and standard mop too. We love that it also features a self-cleaning roller brush, preventing floor recontamination and ensuring a thorough and efficient cleaning process every time.
One reviewer said: "Great little vacuum. Bought as a replacement for an old handheld that isn't holding its charge. This is much easier to charge and use and is much smaller than the one it replaces. It is quite weighty for its size but does its job well! Easy to empty and clear out the filter and is efficient at picking up all sorts! Not too noisy. Comes with a crevice/brush accessory which is easy to fit/remove and compliments it very well. Doesn't take too long to charge and lasts a decent amount of time. Love this!"
Pros
- Cordless
- Vacuum and steam mop in one
- Quiet
Cons
- Battery life limited
Quickest steam mop
For those times when you need a quick whip around, this steam mop is ideal. We particularly love the Klik n' Flip feature which allows you to clean double the floor area with a simple flip of the mop head. They also allow you to change the double-sided Dirt Grip pads without coming into contact with the dirt and the reusable wipes can easily was in the washing machine so no need for disposable wipes. As well as being a floor mop, it can instantly transform into a handheld steam cleaner to work on kitchen surfaces, bathroom tiles and even windows.
One reviewer said: "I'm really impressed with the design, build and use of this steam cleaner. The floor cleaning pads are very easy to remove and refit and the attachments connect very easily. The cleaner cleaned our kitchen floor really well. It's easy to refill - use mineral free water. So far I've used it to clean three floors and a shower and I'm really impressed."
Pros
- Doubles up as a floor and handheld steam mop
- Machine washable pads
- Comes with a range of accessories
Cons
- Not as easy to clean harder to reach areas
Things to consider when buying a steam mop
Water tank capacity – The bigger the water tank, the longer you'll be able to mop without having to top up the tank. Larger capacity tanks will also take longer to heat up. While topping up the tank is very easy, if you have large floor area you want to clean, it's worth going for a larger capacity tank.
Weight and size – Some steam mops are much heavier than others, so it's worth paying close attention to the weight to make sure you'd be able to confidently carry it up the stairs and push it around the house without hurting yourself. You'll also want to check the dimensions against where you plan to store your steam mop as you don't want to order one that's too big for your storage cupboard.
Heat up time – Most of the steam mops we've featured have a heat up time of 30 seconds or less, but remember that the larger the water tank, the longer it will probably take to heat up.
Steam settings – Some of the steam mops we've included feature the option of using different steam settings. This is handy when using it on a variety of different floorings and surfaces, as you may not need the steam to be as hot on more delicate or older flooring.
What's the difference between a steam cleaner and a steam mop?
Both a steam cleaner and steam mop use the power of hot steam to clean and disinfect various areas of your home without the need for harsh cleaning chemicals. While a steam mop is used exclusively to clean floor areas, a steam cleaner is very versatile and can clean windows, cookers, sink areas, bathrooms, hard to reach corners and more. You can even use it to clean your tot's highchair easily as well as a variety of your little ones things in.
Is steaming better than mopping?
This really depends on your home and your personal preference but generally, steam mopping tends to be easier than regular mopping. Firstly, using a steam mop means you don't have to carry a heavy bucket around with you as you mop, also meaning less chances of spillages.
In terms of energy consumption and impact on the environment, they both have their pros and cons/ Of course, regular mopping requires no electricity so is often cheaper to do. However, steam mopping doesn't require the use of cleaning chemicals which can be harmful to the environment.
If you're in need of a deep clean that'll kill bacteria and leave your floors safest for baby to explore, then a steam mop is much better to use than a regular mop, which is why it's such a popular tool for parents who want to avoid cleaning chemicals to achieve a fully sanitised floor.
What surfaces is it safe to use a steam mop on?
This really depends on your particular mop and the steam setting it's set to. We'd also advise avoiding unsealed surfaces when it comes to steam as well as cracked or damaged flooring as the high-pressure and heat from the steam can damage these surfaces even further. Always check your instructions and manual before using a steam mop or steam cleaner on any surface to make sure it's suitable for that particular surface.
Lorna White is the Senior Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics from potty training and nutrition to baby names and early development and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young sisters, dog walking and enjoying the outdoors with her family.